5 contenders for WTC player of the tournament award

The World Test Championship (WTC) is all set to come to a close with the final to be played between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl from June 18 to 22. The final was scheduled to take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, but in March, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to shift the venue.

Nevertheless, a cracker of a match seems to be in store between two power-packed teams. The event started back in 2019 and ever since then, there has been some jaw-dropping contest between bat and ball.

Even as some of the stars put forth stupendous shows, a few of them has flattered to deceive. A number of players will also be fighting for the Player of the Tournament award. Regarding who gets the award in the end, will depend on the final match as well.

In the articles, let’s take a look at five contenders for the player of the tournament in the WTC:

1. Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne wasn’t supposed to play in the WTC to start with. However, luck favoured him after being roped in as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith in the 2019 Lord’s Test. From there on he hasn’t looked back and is currently the leading run-scorer in the championship.

In only 13 games, the right-handed batter has notched 1675 runs with five centuries and nine half-centuries. He played at an average of 72.82 with the highest score of 2015 against New Zealand in January 2020 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It’s also pertinent to note that he has hit the most number of fours (186) in the tournament. In only 18 Tests, Labuschagne is currently placed third in the ICC’s Test rankings for batsmen. At the age of 26, the South Africa-born has a bright future in the offing.

2. Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, without a shred of a doubt, has been England’s standout player in the championship. Ever since he played the match-winning hand at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes, he has been oozing with confidence. Along with the English tail-enders, he pulled off an unlikely chase against Australia.

Placed fourth in the list of leading run-scorers, Stokes has scored 1334 runs at an average of 46. In 17 games, the southpaw has racked up four centuries and six half-centuries. His top score of 176 came against the West Indies in July 2020 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

With the ball, he hasn’t disappointed either as he has picked up 34 wickets with a couple of four-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. The 29-year-old also captained the Brits against the Caribbean team last year when Joe Root was away for parental duties.

3. Tim Southee

Tim Southee is set to be a part of the final in June and he can be deemed as one of the contenders for the player of the tournament award. In 10 games, he has already picked up 51 wickets and he is expected to add to the tally with one match remaining.

Moreover, the New Zealand pacer has three five-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. The pacer will be a tough nut to crack in the all-important final. Pat Cummins is the top wicket-taker in the championship with 70 scalps, but it’s Southee, who has a better average and strike rate with the ball.

The Kiwi pacer has a chance of surpassing Australia’s Nathan Lyon to fourth in the list. Not to forget that he can do some damage with the bat as well lower down the order. The Black Caps would be hoping for their experienced campaigner to fire on all cylinders.

4. Ravi Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin is one of the primary reasons behind India’s sheer dominance in the WTC. In only 13 matches, he has picked up 67 wickets with two five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. Being only three wickets away from Cummins, Ashwin has a realistic chance of ending as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

In the four-match series against England earlier this year, he was the highest wicket-taker with 32 scalps. The pitch in Southampton may not suit him much, but he has every chance of getting four more wickets and go to the top.

With the bat, Ashwin was having a dry run since 2016, but he made amends with a knock of 106 versus the Brits at the Chepauk. In the WTC, he has scored 295 runs at an average of 21.07. India would now want the 34-year-old veteran to put forth an all-round show one last time.

5. Babar Azam

Babar Azam was arguably Pakistan’s standout batter in the WTC without a shred of a doubt. In 10 matches, the young batter managed 932 runs at an average of 66.57 with four centuries and five half-centuries to show for his efforts.

On the back of his stupendous show with the bat in hand, he was also made the national skipper across all three formats. There’s no stopping Babar when the right-hander is in full flow. Pakistan had a disastrous campaign in their tour of Australia, but Babar stood out with 210 runs from two Tests at an average of 52.50.

On that tour, he also scored 97 at the Adelaide Oval. The 26-year-old from Lahore, Punjab had a higher average than Steve Smith, whose average stood at 63.85 from 13 matches. Albeit he has played 167 matches, the right-hander has a long way to go in his career.